Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal’s Defensive Evolution Leads To New Identity

By Josh Sippie

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It has been a long time since Arsenal’s defense has been able to be referred to as ‘reliable’. Back in the Arsenal Invincible era, the likes of Sol Campbell, Lauren and Patrick Vieira highlighted a powerful, fear-invoking defense. But since then, through names like Bacary Sagna, Andre Santos, Thomas Vermaelen and Sebastian Squillaci, Arsenal’s defense has been riddled with inconsistency. Stars have played alongside fill-ins.

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Beyond the back line, Arsenal’s defensive midfield has been lacking any sort of midfield enforcer since Vieira. That is, unless you count Kim Kallstrom.

In goal, Arsenal have gone from Manuel Almunia to Lukas Fabianski to the hot-and-cold Wojciech Szczesny. But no one ever inspired confidence or consistency.

It was a decade of defense without an identity. There were a few bright spots. Sagna was always consistent. The Laurent Koscielny/Per Mertesacker pairing raked in an impressive home win streak. But there were always noticeable holes.

This current Arsenal defense is very good. Make no mistake about it. They have a cast of defenders that know what it takes to hold down the fort. They each seem to fit into what Arsenal need as well. It may be a case of Arsene Wenger planning exactly what this team was going to require at this juncture. If you do not believe in such meticulous planning, call it luck. The result is the same.

Hector Bellerin is brilliant. We will start there. For a 20 year old, his composure on and off the ball is astounding. He is the fastest guy on the team and that pace gives Arsenal something they absolutely need – width. Arsenal’s right flank is notably lacking in width with Aaron Ramsey out wide. He is not a winger, remember? What Bellerin provides is so much more than defensive stability and recovery speed. He provides a winger where we do not have one.

The young Spaniard is incredibly talented on the ball and can often be seen channeling his inner Alexis to get past defenders. While his crossing skills can still improve, the fact that he provides this added position makes it like he is playing in two places at once.

On the left, Nacho Monreal has risen out of relative obscurity to become the undisputed first-choice left back. Monreal, like Bellerin, provides the team with exactly what it needs in that position. He provides a center backs defensive instincts with the attacking and technical ability of a fullback.

Then there are the center backs. I refer to the two main center backs as Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista. They appear to be the go-to duo going forward and for good reason. Their combined speed and aggression makes them incredibly dynamic. With them, we do not have to worry about seeing any lost foot races. They have the pace to track down most high-flying forwards and the physicality to compete with the bruising, physical forwards. That is, until one tries to rip Koscielny’s face off.

In terms of depth, this team is in fantastic shape. With Mathieu Debuchy and Kieran Gibbs as full back cover, we have experience. Both have proven their value and would be starting most other places. In Mertesacker and Calum Chambers we have two ends of the spectrum. The German provides experience and leadership on and off the pitch. he is a team leader and one that is still an incredibly smart defender. Calum Chambers provides hope for the future, as he will be the one that inevitably steps in for Koscielny in due time.

Then there is the midfield. In case you have not heard, Arsenal have a really good midfield enforcer in Francis Coquelin. The man, or monster rather (in a good way), is averaging 4 tackles a game. His cumulative numbers put him at 3 interceptions a game as well. There are defenders out there on really good teams that are not putting up numbers like that. 

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Then there is Petr Cech in goal. There are not many in the world who do it better.

This entire cast has combined to give Arsenal’s defense something they have not had in years – an identity. This defenses’ identity is one of athleticism and passion. Nobody will be seen loafing, jogging or Mesut Ozil-ing (low blow?).

No starter on this defense will shy away from an encounter or back off of a duel. They are built on aggression, something that we have not seen in a decade. Back then, Arsenal were often criticized for their aggression. Yet it was a key component it what landed them so much success.

That aggression and athleticism is being replicated. It may not be a honed, finished product just yet. But we have seen what they can do and given time it can become the norm.

Next: Ramsey Needs The Armband

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